Western cyclone., 1887-01-13
A GENTLEMAN.

''Ill lake a Times" SAID one OF
group of schoolgirls.
20 JENNY said another. From
such little monster.
An old gentleman who was reading
glanced up from his pamphlet. The
newsbov was a dwarf, and hunch-
back. His face, which was bent back
on his shoulders, twltched suddenly ut
the girls words, but he did not look to-
ward her, rs he stood waiting for his
money. The old centlcman'5 grave
look of rebuke angered the girl.
at makes me sick!' she said, with a
look of disgust. THE conductor ought
not 10 allow him TO come on board"
The boy turned and looked ut her
steadily. Everybody on the car ex-
pected torrent of vile abuse, but he
said gently:
III the Beast was not here, the peo-
pie on the Car would not appreciate the
Beauty at her real value" and then
bowling to her, he went out. amid the
smiles of MI the passengers.
The old gentlGman-whOw was q we'll
known physician, DR.. Avery-followe
him. but lie was already out of sight
WHO is that boyP" he asked the con-
ductOr.
"His names Willy. and his route is
on this street don't know anything
more"
He has an educated voice. and he
showed good breeding and sense just
now"
mo doubt The other newsboys call
him Gentleman Bill Everybody likes
him. We conductors give him the free
dom of the cars on this street"
A few days afterwards. DR.. Avery was
on u car lale IN the evening, when Will
ly came in, carrying large bundle of
papers. He sold none. and turned TO
go out, looking discouraged and anx-
ious
DR.. Avery stopped him. drew out a
paper, and handing him q piece of
silver. said, Never mind the change"
mo. thank you," said the boy, Smil-
ing, as he gave it TO him.
why MOI, young independcnce?'
Il don't need aims. sir. l really get
on very well. And if | did"
You would not take it?"
1T would be the hardest thing / ever
had to do. Good-evening. sir?" and
touching his cap the liItIe hunchback
swung himself OFT the car.
DR.. Avery after that often met the
boy. who puzzled and interested him.
There was nothing morbid in him; he
was always ready with laugh or merry
answer. His voice WAS controlled and
gentle, and there was I fine courtesy. Il
tact, Il delicate feeling. IN all his words,
that we 10 not find sometimes in those
who call themselves gentlemen. In
spite OF the boys wrctched clothes and
patched shoes. DR.. Avery found him
self talking TO him us 10 an equal. and
always thought OF him as his little
friend.
Late one night, when it was storm
ing heavily. he met him, trudging down
Chestnut street
You have hard life, my boy" he
said. kindly.
Not so hard as you think, SIR" he
said, cheerfully. II am never sick an
hour. Then do better business than
other boys because of-hS," glancing
down on his deformed body.
"Ohw
The doctor was confused for a min
ute
Have you any plans. WillyP Do
You ever look forward?"
Yes. Oh. l have it all planned out!
II could save enough TO start 4 street.
stall of books and papers. then after n
year or two | would De able TO open
shop. and then big store. Some
men who began that way in Philadel-
phia have become publishers. and live
in beautiful houses of their own"
"Hillo! Do you care for fine housesP"
Not for myself sir.
He became suddenly silent and at
the corner of the next street said Good
night" and ran away.
A moment later DR.. Avery heard cries
and shouts in the direction which Willy
had taken; but such things are COM
mon in great city. He hurried home.
The next morning, looking over the
paper. he read:
"A little huuchhack newsb0y, known as
Gentlcman wiz was kuoc. d down by
runaway horse last uight Dr.. Johns pro-
n4ut cei IN inju III 'rtal. Tho l,d was
saxon 70 tue nn II spitul."
DR.. Avery was soon beside the cot
on which the misshapen little body
was laid.
Willy looked up. trying to smile. alt
is not so bad us they say. is ii? can't
die now! have too much to do"
What have you to do. NV bovP
Let me be your friend; let me help YOU.
If can"
Il thought Won would come. maybe.
haven I anybody TO come. The bows
arc good friends, but they couldn't do
anything now"
4 have come, you see. Tell me what
can do. my boy"
The lad waited until the nurse had
passed his cot, and then whispered:
1T 5 Lefty. sir. She is NV sister.
have her out with farmers wife near
Media She goes to school there. II
takes MI can make TO pay her board
and buy her clothes l like to see her
look nice" His mind began 10 wan
der. anu he began to mutter nj inter-
valS
III could start the stau-the shop
r narpiu uo for 7 at,x, ~